[vantran]

What are you looking to do? What do you want to learn about?

There are tons of work in a startup, it's important to have some ideas of what you want to get out of the experience. Otherwise I'm afraid you might end up just doing the majority of grunt work, where you don't learn much. You certainly don't want that if you're not getting paid!

I've done unpaid internship at a startup before, and I don't think you want to be treated like an intern. Your time is not valued (since they aren't paying you). They listen to your ideas, but won't implement them, etc...

Instead, I suggest you work on your own projects, with experienced mentors guiding you. This way you have actual freedom on what you work, you can still learn, and most importantly you'll actually turn an idea to something concrete yourself, from start to finish.

Of course, finding mentors is the hard part. If you're around in SF, send me an email, perhaps I can help.

[iworkforthem]

I agree with @vantran. Getting paid and the time you are going to spend should definitely be valued a bit more, especially by yourself. Unless you have specific goals/objectives on why you want to take on a internship, why then would you want to do one? Instead, get a few friends and make something and try selling it, the experience you gain will be much more beneficial.